Glossary - Drug Addiction

A glossary of medical or addiction related terms used in this guide.

A

Abstinence

Avoiding a substance or an activity which could be harmful

Addiction

A condition where someone is physically and psychologically dependent upon a substance. They will experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking that substance.

Addictive personality

Someone who is vulnerable to developing an addiction.

Alcoholism

A severe form of alcohol abuse in which someone is physically dependent upon alcohol. They are unable to function without a drink and experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if they go without alcohol.

Alcohol abuse

Another name for problem drinking. Someone who abuses alcohol still has a degree of control over it but is placing themselves at risk.

B

None at present.

C

Counselling

A one-to-one form of treatment in which the addict discusses problems in their life with a trained professional.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

A form of psychotherapy in which the addict is encouraged to develop a positive outlook. They will be set goals by the therapist and prompted to look at ways at challenging fixed thought patterns.

Controlled drug

A controlled drug is one that is regulated under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

D

Day care

A form of drug treatment which is carried out on a daily basis as opposed to a residential stay.

Dependency

This is often interchanged with addiction: it refers to a form of behaviour in which a person feels compelled to take a substance on a regular basis. This can develop from taking a ‘legal’ drug such as painkillers.

Detoxification

A form of drug treatment that removes toxins from the body which have accumulated from substance abuse. This often forms part of rehab treatment.

Drug

A substance which alters the way the body functions or the way we think. This includes legal drugs such as medicines, alcohol and tobacco as well as illegal substances.

Drug abuse

The use of an illegal drug or excessive use of a ‘legal’ drug i.e. alcohol.

E

None at present.

F

None at present.

G

None at present.

H

Home detoxification

The process of flushing out drugs from the body, at home, but under medical supervision.

I (3)

None at present.

J

None at present.

K

None at present.

L

None at present.

M

Managed care

A term used to describe the care of an addict by a team of professional people.

N

None at present.

O

Overdose

Taking more than the recommended dose of a medicine or drug.

Over the counter (OTC)

Used to describe medicines which can be bought from a pharmacist without a prescription.

P

Psychotherapist

A professionally trained person who deals with psychological problems in an addict with the aim of enabling them to overcome their problems. They form an important part of a drug treatment plan.

Q

None at present.

R

Rehabilitation

Also known as rehab: a planned programme of treatment which is designed to help the addict overcome their addiction. This can be residential or at home and involves several methods such as detox and counselling.

Relapse

This is where an addict returns to drug or alcohol abuse during addiction recovery. This happens when they are drug-free but succumb to cravings or withdrawal symptoms.

S

Stimulant

A powerful substance, that is highly addictive, which acts upon the body’s nervous system. It causes a surge of adrenaline which increases heart rate, blood pressure and respiration. T

Therapist

Someone who is trained in a particular form of therapy, e.g. psychotherapy.

U

None at present.

V

None at present.

W

Withdrawal

A name given to the process in which an addict stops taking a substance but experiences side effects from doing so. These can be both mental and physical and rather unpleasant but can be controlled with medication.

X

None at present.

Y

None at present.

Z

None at present.